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Game changer for Slattery

Nuriootpa Rover Football Club coach, Henry Slattery, is among the 34 Essendon Football team players that have been found guilty of doping while playing in the 2012 season and will be ineligible to play in any level of football for 2016 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s 2015 ruling yesterday.

The club will need a coach replacement since the players found guilty are banned from playing in the AFL League and retired or delisted players lose the right to play or coach in local leagues.

At the moment, Henry’s sanction of ineligibility backdates from March 31, 2015 and expires on November 13, 2016.

Henry is still coming to terms with what this ruling will mean, The Leader contacted him early yesterday morning and Henry said he is really disappointed with the outcome.

“It’s been pretty difficult about the decision. It is looking like I might not be able to be involved with the club at all. It’s close to the start of the season. It’s a really difficult time,” said Henry.

“At this time, it won’t be a good idea to appeal it. The decision has been made. I can’t seem to process how this came about. It’s really disappointing.

“I am trying to get in touch with people involved and AFL lawyers. The information is slowly filtering through. I might know more in the next one to two days.”

Henry said that his future is uncertain with whether he is able to stay involved with the Nuriootpa Rover Football Club and is waiting for more information since the ruling.

Chris Linke, president of the Nuriootpa Rover Football Club, said “It’s all a bit raw. I’ve talked with Henry and he is quite upset. We can’t comment until we know exactly what the ruling is, and what it’s going to mean for him and for us.”